Milan Fashion Week might seem a long way from a deep-frozen rally in Sweden’s far north, but this month the two are almost inextricably linked.
When we say inextricably, that might be stretching it a little bit. A lot, in fact.
But Italian fashion house Prada’s show opening on the same day as the first stage of Rally Sweden has cost spectators the chance of seeing another Ford Puma Rally1.
And Lorenzo Bertelli the chance of driving it.
This would have been the likeable Italian’s seventh start in Sweden – and made him the first private driver of a Rally1 car.
Unfortunately he’s got to work that week and when your mom is Miuccia Prada, that takes on a slightly different meaning. It’s Milan and arguably the fashion world’s seasonal highlight instead of Umeå and round two of the World Rally Championship.
Milan’s gain will be our loss. Bertelli, co-driver Simone Scattolin, team co-ordinator Luciano Finzi and the military uniformed technicians bring a whole heap of style to the service park.
Another huge disappointment next week is missing out on Bertelli’s livery – always one to look forward to. And, contrary to popular speculation, he’s not going back to Kenya for another Safari Rally shot. But he is considering another WRC round somewhere soon.
We look forward to it.
In the meantime, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will busy itself with running a trio of Pumas for Craig Breen, Gus Greensmith and Adrien Fourmaux next week.
The team is currently testing in Sweden in preparation for the event.
